No trip to Beijing is complete without a tour of one of the amazing museums. Whether you are an art fan, history buff or military enthusiast, the museums in Beijing offer literally something for everyone. You'll find astonishing art, 5,000 years of history, modern marvels of machines, urban planning, coins, bells and everything in between.

Of course the most beneficial one-stop museum would be the Museum of Chinese History, which is located smack dab in the heart of the city on Tiananmen Square. If you know nothing of China or Beijing's history and culture than a stop here might enlighten you and expand your appreciation of China's capital city. The National Museum of China is another great one-stop shop for learning as much as possible in one building before starting your adventures in Beijing.

If you want to know where China is headed, why not take a peek in the Urban Planning Museum, where you'll learn what they plan to do with the city as well as how they view the space and where the country as a whole may be going.

The National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature is a great place for any lit fan or culture lover to visit. You'll learn what the Chinese find fascination and see reoccurring themes in old and new literature and cultural relics and art.

If you are into machines, don't fret! Beijing has more than enough to satiate your appetite for information. The Aircraft museum is a fun place to start if you love large machines. The Railway Museum and Agriculture Museum are additional places that might be of interest to you if you love intricate designs, modern marvels and man-made wonders.

If old school is more your speed, the Bell Museum, Coin Museum and Great Wall Museum are all testaments to the marvels of olden days. There is much to be said of the innovations and massive undertakings of our forefathers, and these museums highlight the achievements beautifully.